Has anyone planted strawberries in the EB before?

My little man wanted granny to plant strawberries and watermelon this Spring/Summer in EBs. I have the charleston Jrs and noticed Michigan bulb had strawberries on sale, great sale too. 3 plants for $3.99 and you get 3 free, then if you order $20 or more you get $10 off your sale. So; I asked for 9 and got 9 free and it comes to about $20 with the $10 discount, not bad hey?

Anyways, they don't ship to my area til February. I'm zone 8B of course. The botanical name of this strawberry is "Fragria (everbearing)", it is shipped bareroot, for hardness zone 4-8, and it's spread is 12-18", Spacing 12-15", Flowering date is: early June onwards, growth rate is "fast once established, which takes approx 3-4 weeks, and it's unique characteristics are it is popular, everbearing, yields dozens of berries throughout summer months.

Now, upon questioning the guy told me that the strawberries were 3 year plants that bore fruit the first year I plant them; but more the following year, and that I would plant them bareroot.

Here are some of my questions: Do I plant these plants in April or May and do I plant them bareroot into the EB?

What do I do after the first harvest? Do they need more fertilizer the following years and how do I store them?

joy112854

Joy112854 - Let me share my strawberry experience with you. Last year I bought and got delivered 50 strawberry plants around March. I found out later that strawberries in most of Florida is a annual crop (big farmers) and they plant them in November and they are done in April/May. Well I tried to buck the system and lost. The plants grew and grew and it got hotter and hotter and all I got was runners and no berries. Then the summer came and with the heat they all died. So this year I bought 75 plants and found a company that delivers them in the late fall. So far so good. They came bare root and came from Willis Orchard Company.

Bob

Not trying to bust your bubble, but I don't think they a perennials down here in Florida .

Bob: I think you are right there, from what I've read and from the questions I've asked the guy from Michigan Bulb, the type I'm getting do produce fruit the year I get them. They produce; but, keep producing, they flower early June and onwards, you plant them in February here for that, and you do get fruit the first year planted, thing is you don't get a heavy production the first year and will get a better production the second year and third year.

This in mind, I expect to see few strawberries the first year, more later on. Thing is, when I put them in the EB in February, they will produce in June, then what? Do I just cover up the EB and put it way til next February? Also, didn't someone mention that you don't use dolomite lime with them? I know their nutrition requirements are a tad different than tomatoes aren't they?

The fact that I could plant them bareroot tickles me, as hey, maybe they stand a chance here. I ordered the bio dome by the way, after talking with Park's I learned they are watered from underneath, of which TPlant said is where startings should be watered from, and that you usually don't have to water very much, that way my plants won't get drowned by my overzealousness to water them right? LOL Then, the quicker I get them into the EBs the better. Mike showed me the bags when I was there, didn't have time to set them up before I left though.

I told him to put a hole in the lay down bags and stick a hose in it til it fluffed up and with the 5 gallon ones to fill the bag up with water and leave it soak, then fluff, then plant did I tell him right? I think he is saving the 5 gallon ones for tomatoes. I have him Park's whopper inproved coming from Park's as they are pretty disease resistant - especially to nematoids, and the variety of peppers, all sweet ones in different colors. Of course, he planted a Bing tree too. I hated leaving, it is so beautiful at his place, peaceful and quiet, like living in the middle of a national park right? LOL
joy112854

joy112854 - Call Willis Orchard Co. and also talk to them about growing strawberries in Florida. You might get a different twist on things. What you told Mike is correct, but after the lay flat bags are fluffed up, you need to put drainage slits on the underside. The 5 gallon bags already have the drain holes. I'm glad you ordered the bio dome. You will really like using it. Mine is in constant use.

BocaBob

they will produce in June, then what?....you have to keep them alive so they can produce the next two years.

Do I just cover up the EB and put it way til next February?...nope..you need to keep the plants alive as stated above... This ties up your EB for three or more years.

Also, didn't someone mention that you don't use dolomite lime with them?....Strawberry plants are acid loving plants, thus , the reason many use pine needles to mulch with in the field.


What are you going to do with all the runners your original plants produce???

Texas Rock Garden: I hope you are going to give me a lesson here on growing strawberries in the EB, as I'm all eyes and ears here. LOL

Bob: You keep forgetting, I'm in zone 8, you are a 10, Florida has 3 zones, NW Florida is an 8, Central Florida is a 9 and South Florida is a 10, I can grow things you can't, (snickering), even if you get to grow all year round and I can't, so there smarty pants. LOL
joy112854

You just maybe right!!!!. But please call Willis Orchard Co. anyways to make me happy.

Bocabob

Bob: I called Michigan Bulb before even ordering them but will call Willis Orchard too, do you have their phone number by any chance and where are they located?

TPlant: I got a catalogue in the mail that will make you drool, it's Totally Tomatoes; I never knew there were that many tomato varieties available? Their toll free number is 1-888-477-7333 and their web address is www.totallytomato.com.
joy112854

Found it 1 866-586-6283 www.willisorchards.com

Tomato Growers Supply has more than enough variety for me an they ship in four days and that is in my hand and I've never been disappointed except when the Black Cherry seeds first came out a couple of years ago when germination was poor but that has long been corrected..

Hey T--How are you feeling today?

BocaBob

Real tired. Been unable to do anything but sleep for two days and am going right back to bed now! This is really making me feel very weak and rest is what I need. Thank goodness I irrigated my entire garden last week on all three sides so my roses and cannas are watered automatically. Guess I need some chicken soup? LOL

TPlant: Don't knock it, chicken soup sometimes cures what ails you. Take care that you don't overdo it ok?
joy112854

Feeling a little bit better today. Would love to go outside and do a little fertilizing. I'll see how l feel in a couple of hours. My garden misses me and I sure miss it.
Thank God for BocaBob helping me to put in the self watering system or my garden would be in dire shape about now.

This message was edited Dec 8, 2008 9:44 AM

Bob: You were right, the guy told me that Sweet Charlie and Florida 90 are the two varieties that grow best in this area here and in earth boxes for my grandson to have fruit in the Spring. I'm going to cancel my order with Michigan Bulb and look around as I have to order $50 worth of stuff from the place you mentioned before they will take my order, ouch.
joy112854

BocaBob, I am very attracted to Styrofoam strawberry stacks you have your berries planted.

Couple of questions:

1. Considering it's Fall/Winter and the sun is laying flat to West/SW on its daily track rather than overhead high in sky, can or do you rotate the planters on the center poll? It appears that was one its designed functions.

2. If your plants send out runners, you could conceivably root runners from one level to the next for next year's plants, or no?

You seem to have a knack for choosing good grow systems.

texas - Hi

Answer to question #1 Yes, the planters are made to rotate 360 degrees so you can follow the sun. Nice feature.

#2- yes, yes, yes, very neat idea. train a runner into one of the spots below and let it take root. I didn't think of that because down here strawberries are annuals. We just dump them when they are tired, plus it gets to hot for them to survive in the summer.

Bocabob

Boca Bob: I found out today that strawberries are annuals here also. And I can plant this month but not after that, so need to cancel my order of the ones I ordered. I also found out artichokes grow nicely here, eat your heart out. LOL I also found out a few good trees I can plant, they are crepe myrtles which grow nicely here and that would give my yard some shade right? Now, decisions, decisions, decisions, which one do I pick right? LOL
joy112854

I went on Willis Orchards web site and they are sold out for the season of strawberries. BOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Boca Bob: Guess you don't talk as sweet as I do then. LOL He told me he had a few left but wouldn't sell to me unless I ordered $50 worth of stuff from him, try giving him a call, he has some stashed he'll come off of if persuaded properly. LOL The website says they are out but they aren't.
joy112854

I looked for a year for a supplier that would sell in small quantities like us and not just the big farmers. Don't delay, because there is no one else to buy from.

Bob

Bob: Here there is as I talked to a strawberry farm owner and he has some left, I'm supposed to call him tomorrow morning and see how many he has that aren't too far gone, then I'll go pick them up!!! I need to, as the latest you can plant them is this month up here in this area. I'm going to put mine in an EB.

joy112854

Everyone you'll not believe what I found out today! There is something that can be grown in winter in the panhandle part of Florida, zone 8B, it's strawberries; but, you have to plant a certain kind. You plant them as an annual, and you plant them in the end of October and harvest through March. The kinds that can be grown here where I am are: Camarosa, Straw Festival, Treasure, Florida 90 and Sweet Charlie. I bought 15 plants today ready to go in the EBs for $3.75; quite the deal I think. So; now you know where I'm going now to plant them. Will let everyone know how they turn out. Early Merry Christmas to me hey? I get to get my hands dirty again, don't have to wait til Spring!!!!
joy112854

Well, Joy, here it is a month later. So how are your little strawberry plants doing? I am glad you are doing this becasue it is something I want to do and we CAN grow pereneal strawberries here. Devota

Devota: They are doing great so far, the ones in the GP have caught up to the ones in the EB now. No berries yet; but it's too soon for those anyways, the leaves are all a healthy green though and they are sprouting right up there. I contacted the guy with the 5 gallon buckets, apparently he is into stucco, and cleans them when he is done, he asked me how many I needed and I told him 100 would do nicely. LOL So; Friday I will get what he has left after his stucco job. It takes 2 to make a self-contained box. Perfect for one eggplant, or one tomato, or one artichoke right? (smiles)

I know exactly where I'm putting them too, after I've made them!
joy112854